I am having a contrarian idea that it is right for the Church to listen to men who have been confused and wounded by a culture that doesn't know what to do with them. They are seeking a Christian understanding of what men are distinctly like and called to be. Maybe the old-culture idea of masculinity is all they have when they come in, but they can learn. One way is by listening to the stories of saints who were both male and holy; it has a cumulative effect. By listening to worship, and absorbing the ceaseless message of humility. By coming to understand the character of the Father, and what Jesus tells us about the longsuffering, loving father of the Prodigal Son. Heroism, nobility, fidelity to purpose and beliefs, courage, physical and personal strength, commitment to defend the small and weak--there are many aspects of Christian masculinity to celebrate.
We don't need to get hysterical (LOL) about rejecting American midcentury masculinity. Just recognize that "the guys" are in pain and searching for something they legitimately need. Recognize that their desolation is reasonable. Know that in Orthodoxy they will find what they seek, though it may turn out not to be what they're looking for. They should come in and rest and grow--and, as Terry says, worship, worship, worship.
What shall we do when former Protestants bring to their new found Orthodoxy a masculinity influenced by such ministries from the 1980s and 1990s as the “Power Team”?
This does beg the question what it means to be an athletic and muscular Christian for the faith. I think this scene from Chariots of Fire is relevant. The Christian athlete is something inspiring, or can be. Humility is the quality we want to see.
It takes years to become truly Orthodox even though you've been chrismated and attend the Liturgy, er, religiously. At my church the priest has quietly asked us men who have those years in the faith behind us to make friends with the katechumens and inquirers to prevent cliques of new-member Orthodox from coming into existence and possibly going off the rails. There's almost never a word of politics from the pulpit (prayers for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine are not, I hope, political), and rarely if at all during fellowship hour.
I certainly hope (wish?) that mainstream journalists might be aware of what you write. If they are really interested in covering religion one would think they might be. I doubt they are.
I find all these mainstream media reports about Orthodoxy fascinating to read, for the simple reason that they're coming from countries that haven't been Orthodox for over 900 years. How would these people react if the True Faith arrived? It's fascinating for no other reason than as a science experiment.
I am having a contrarian idea that it is right for the Church to listen to men who have been confused and wounded by a culture that doesn't know what to do with them. They are seeking a Christian understanding of what men are distinctly like and called to be. Maybe the old-culture idea of masculinity is all they have when they come in, but they can learn. One way is by listening to the stories of saints who were both male and holy; it has a cumulative effect. By listening to worship, and absorbing the ceaseless message of humility. By coming to understand the character of the Father, and what Jesus tells us about the longsuffering, loving father of the Prodigal Son. Heroism, nobility, fidelity to purpose and beliefs, courage, physical and personal strength, commitment to defend the small and weak--there are many aspects of Christian masculinity to celebrate.
We don't need to get hysterical (LOL) about rejecting American midcentury masculinity. Just recognize that "the guys" are in pain and searching for something they legitimately need. Recognize that their desolation is reasonable. Know that in Orthodoxy they will find what they seek, though it may turn out not to be what they're looking for. They should come in and rest and grow--and, as Terry says, worship, worship, worship.
What shall we do when former Protestants bring to their new found Orthodoxy a masculinity influenced by such ministries from the 1980s and 1990s as the “Power Team”?
This does beg the question what it means to be an athletic and muscular Christian for the faith. I think this scene from Chariots of Fire is relevant. The Christian athlete is something inspiring, or can be. Humility is the quality we want to see.
https://www.tcm.com/video/1068834/chariots-of-fire-1981-movie-clip-a-muscular-christian
It takes years to become truly Orthodox even though you've been chrismated and attend the Liturgy, er, religiously. At my church the priest has quietly asked us men who have those years in the faith behind us to make friends with the katechumens and inquirers to prevent cliques of new-member Orthodox from coming into existence and possibly going off the rails. There's almost never a word of politics from the pulpit (prayers for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine are not, I hope, political), and rarely if at all during fellowship hour.
I certainly hope (wish?) that mainstream journalists might be aware of what you write. If they are really interested in covering religion one would think they might be. I doubt they are.
I gave it my best shot for 20 years at GetReligion.org
I find all these mainstream media reports about Orthodoxy fascinating to read, for the simple reason that they're coming from countries that haven't been Orthodox for over 900 years. How would these people react if the True Faith arrived? It's fascinating for no other reason than as a science experiment.